If a worker’s disability lasts a long time, employers might find it difficult to balance their work duties with what is required by disability and human rights laws. Considering job task changes is usually important for accommodating these employees and it should be carried out correctly to maintain compliance. It is important for employers to learn about accommodation rules, how far they can go with reassignments and how to handle everything with respect and in line with the laws.
Employees with long-term disabilities have rights under the law to be accommodated which may involve changes in their jobs. Duty transfers can be a required part of the interaction between the manager and the employee, according to legal regulations. Properly applying job reassignment allows a disabled worker to be productive and helps the employer fulfill the law.
Understanding The Legal Basis For Reassignment
The foremost responsibility during any job duty reassignment is to accommodate. Canadian and Ontario laws on human rights indicate that employers must make accommodations for their employees up to the point when it becomes overly taxing. It may involve changing or removing certain responsibilities from the employee’s list because of a medical situation. However, the employee has to carry out the necessary requirements of their job, despite any needed adjustments.
A company is not obligated by law to change a worker’s main responsibilities or to establish a completely new job. Rather, businesses should check if small tasks can be taken away or given to others without causing significant risks to the business. Provided the employee’s job role is not injured by making the changes, the employer might have to adjust responsibilities to maintain the employee’s employment.
Engaging In An Individualized Assessment
Reassigning duties cannot be done with a blanket approach. For every case, the employee’s disabilities and the job description need to be assessed separately. In some situations, a medical evaluation is done to see what tasks the employee can carry out. When concerned about a medical issue, the employer should consult the employee and sometimes seek advice from appropriate medical experts to find out what support is necessary.
It is necessary to make sure that communication between you and the employee remains clear. Employers ought to record employment policy decisions, your medical condition, any discussions held and what options were examined. These documents act as defense for the employer during a future complaint. Any employer who is unsure about long term disability should get advice from a long term disability lawyer.
Avoiding Discrimination And Respecting Dignity
If employees are re-assigned, their employer needs to make sure it does not cause them discrimination or lessen their importance. It’s not good to separate the employee from meaningful roles without having a clear reason. Conduct like this could prompt people to file for constructive dismissal or discrimination. While duties change, they should not annoy or undermine the employee’s attitude and willingness to work.
Privacy rights should not be sacrificed in any case. Only people with a real need to know should get information about disabilities. Employees who work with someone who gets new responsibilities will notice it, yet they do not have to be told why the shift happened. If everyone involved in the process is caring and respectful, the workplace is able to change while following the laws.
Knowing When Legal Support Is Needed
When cases are difficult such as those where main duties cannot be shifted or there are disagreements on reasonable actions, you may want to discuss it with a lawyer. An LTD Lawyer can guide you through times when making accommodations for employees becomes too much for an employer. It is possible for legal experts to advise on whether the employee should be assigned to another position in the organization or if ending the employment is right.
Dealing with these matters poorly may result in human rights problems, lawsuits for wrongful dismissal or harm to the company’s reputation. Lawyers support the company in keeping all actions in line with the proper rules. If employers make an effort to understand the law and deal with issues fairly by treating each person carefully, they can fulfill their duties and remain effective.
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